The evolution of Sony's Xperia series from the Windows-based X1 to the brand new Z3

Believe it or not, the Xperia range of smartphones is one of the oldest that’s still around today. Those who’ve been watching the industry for more than just a few years certainly know that the very first Xperia was announced in early 2008, and hit shelves around the world starting October that year. Unlike today’s Xperias, the first model ran Windows Mobile, and was launched at a time when Sony was still in a joint venture with Sweden’s Ericsson - that’s why the handset’s called Sony Ericsson Xperia X1.

Since the release of the X1, more than 50 Xperia models have been introduced, culminating with the Xperia Z3 and Z3 Compact that were announced earlier this week at IFA 2014.

We’re thinking that the introduction of the Z3 models is a good occasion for us to take a look at all the important Xperias that have been released over the years. It’s interesting to see how the Xperia design evolved, while at the same time retaining something that makes us identify them as Sony products - from the 17mm-thick Xperia X1 to the 7mm-thin Xperia Z3. So, let's sit back and take a look at how things progressed in the 6 years since the first Xperia was unveiled.

Sony Ericsson Xperia X1

As we already mentioned, the Xperia X1 was a Windows-based smartphone. It ran Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional, featuring a sliding QWERTY keyboard, and a 3.0-inch display. This display had a 480 x 800 pixel resolution, offering one of the highest ppi densities among 2008’s smartphones. By comparison, that year’s iPhone (the iPhone 3G) featured a 3.5-inch display with a measly 320 x 480 pixel resolution and a 165 ppi density, while the HTC Touch Pro - one of Xperia X1’s direct competitors - offered a 2.8-inch screen with 480 x 640 pixels (286ppi).

Sony Ericsson Xperia X1

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Sony Ericsson Xperia X2

Although it was announced in September 2009, the Sony Ericsson Xperia X2 went on sale in January 2010. It was the second - and last - Windows-based Xperia. The X2 came with an arguably more elegant design, though it retained the overall style of the X1. It offered an improved QWERTY keyboard, and a larger, 3.2-inch display (its resolution remained unchanged: 480 x 800 pixels).

Sony Ericsson XPERIA X2

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Sony Ericsson Xperia X10

The reason why Sony (Ericsson) abandoned Windows Mobile? Android, of course. Two months after announcing the X2, the company revealed the Xperia X10, its very first Android smartphone. The X10 hit the market in March 2010 as one of that year’s Android flagships. Although it was praised for its design and specs (including the large, 4-inch display with 480 x 854 pixels), the Xperia X10 was criticized for shipping with Android 1.6 Donut instead of Android Éclair (which had been available since October 2009).